Managing a data set

ABSTRACT

A method of and system for managing a data set of a storage facility is disclosed. The data set may be a sequential-access data set. The method and system may include structuring the sequential-access data set to have a first group-of-records configured for adding a second group-of-records to the sequential-access data set. The method and system add a second group-of-records to the sequential-access data set. The method and system merge the second group-of-records with the first group-of-records in response to a triggering event. The method and system establish, in response to merging the second group-of-records with the first group-of-records, a marker configured to indicate the first and second group-of-records, as merged, is sorted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to computer systems and, moreparticularly, relates to managing a data set of a storage system.

BACKGROUND

The amount of data that needs to be managed by enterprises is growing atan extremely high rate. Management of storage environments may need tobe performed with as few errors as possible. As data needing to bemanaged increases, the need for management efficiency may increase.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to sorting or merging data in storage.The methodology provides a marker (pointer) at the end of a sort. Asdata is added to storage, a threshold initiates the methodology toperform a sort which begins at the marker. In accordance with themethodology, the newly sorted data is merged with the earlier data andthe marker is updated. The methodology may improve performance whensorting or merging data in storage.

Aspects of the disclosure may include a method of and system formanaging a data set of a storage facility. The data set may be asequential-access data set. The method and system may includestructuring the sequential-access data set to have a firstgroup-of-records configured for adding a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set. The method and system add a secondgroup-of-records to the sequential-access data set. The method andsystem merge the second group-of-records with the first group-of-recordsin response to a triggering event. The method and system establish, inresponse to merging the second group-of-records with the firstgroup-of-records, a marker configured to indicate the first and secondgroup-of-records, as merged, is sorted.

Aspects of the disclosure include the triggering event. The triggeringevent may be, as examples, a threshold value or an operation related tothe sequential-access data set. In embodiments, the triggering eventoccurs in response to the second group-of-records reaching the thresholdvalue. In embodiments, the triggering event occurs in response to anoperation associated with the sequential-access data set happening.Aspects of the disclosure provide a methodology for sorting or mergingrecords of data sets in a storage system that may provide benefitsassociated with increased efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network architecture according toembodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example storage system containing an array ofstorage devices according to embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing a data set of astorage system according to embodiments; and

FIG. 4 shows modules of a system for sorting or merging data in storageaccording to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure relate to sorting or merging data in storage.The methodology provides a marker (pointer) at the end of a sort. Asdata is added to storage, a threshold initiates the methodology toperform a sort which begins at the marker. In accordance with themethodology, the newly sorted data is merged with the earlier data andthe marker is updated. The methodology may improve performance whensorting or merging data in storage.

An entire data set of a storage system can be sorted in response to aspecific instruction from a client to do so. Absent a specificinstruction from a client, an indication of when to sort a data set maynot be readily apparent. For sequential-access data sets, new recordsare inserted at the end of the data set. When these data sets arere-sorted, the entire data set is sorted even though the first part ofthe data may have already been sorted previously. A tracking mechanismto track the sorted and unsorted portions of the data set may providebenefits (e.g., efficiency) so that the entire data set is not re-sortedeach time a sort program is run against it. In addition, data sets areoften sorted when very few items have changed within the data set.Tracking the amount of changes since the last sort and running that sortin response to a data set close can optimize the sort cycle.

An operating system having a product such as System Managed Storage(SMS) can allow users to assign a Management Class to data sets. TheManagement Class enables SMS to manage user data with options preferredby the user. In embodiments, aspects of the disclosure create a newfeature in the Management Class so that SMS will implement a feature toa data set at the time of a close operation. In this way, the system cansort the data efficiently and the programmer for the application willnot need to invest storage or time in hard coding (or explicitlycalling) a sort program. The feature marks the position at the end ofthe data set the last time it was sorted. Since records are added to theend of sequential files during updates, the newly added records may bedesignated by the feature as the unsorted section of the data set. Bykeeping track of the unsorted portion of the data set, aspects of thedisclosure can reduce the overall time to perform the sort operation bysorting the newly added records and merging them into the base data setwhen a threshold has been met.

Aspects of the disclosure include a method and system for managing adata set of a storage facility (i.e., storage system). The method andsystem may work on a number of operating systems. The data sets can besequential-access data sets (e.g., records are retrieved in sequence).The method and system may include structuring the sequential-access dataset to have a first group-of-records configured for adding a secondgroup-of-records to the sequential-access data set. A secondgroup-of-records is added to the sequential-access data set. The secondgroup-of-records may be separate from the first group-of-records. Inresponse to a triggering event, the second group-of-records is sorted ormerged with the first group-of-records. In response to merging thesecond group-of-records with the first group-of-records, a marker isestablished. The marker may indicate the first and secondgroup-of-records, as merged, is sorted. Put differently, the marker mayidentify a sorted group-of-records of the sequential-access data set bymarking an end of the sequential-access data set. From anotherperspective, establishing the marker indicates an existinggroup-of-records of the sequential-access data set is sorted in responseto the sorting of the existing group-of-records.

Aspects of the disclosure include the triggering event. The triggeringevent may be, as examples, a threshold value or an operation related tothe sequential-access data set. In embodiments, the triggering eventoccurs in response to the second group-of-records reaching the thresholdvalue. The threshold value may include an association with aquantity-of-changes to the sequential-access data set since a previoussort. The threshold value can be a user-defined value or a predeterminedvalue. In embodiments, the triggering event occurs in response to anoperation associated with the sequential-access data set happening; forinstance, an operation configured to close the sequential-access dataset being requested.

Aspects of the disclosure include sorting or merging. In embodiments,merging includes sorting. In particular, merging may include sorting inan order based on record-values of at least one record-field in a mannerconfigured to arrange records in a particular sequence. In embodiments,merging includes combining the first and second group-of-records in amanner configured to produce one group-of-records in a particularsequence. Aspects of the disclosure can include designating the secondgroup-of-records is unsorted in response to adding the secondgroup-of-records to the sequential-access data set. Aspects of thedisclosure provide a methodology for sorting or merging records of datasets in a storage system that may provide benefits associated withincreased efficiency.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network architecture 100 according toembodiments. The network architecture 100 is presented to show oneexample of an environment where a system and method in accordance withthe disclosure may be implemented. The network architecture 100 ispresented only by way of example and is not intended to be limiting. Thesystem and methods disclosed herein may be applicable to a wide varietyof different computers, servers, storage devices, and networkarchitectures, in addition to the network architecture 100 shown.

As shown, the network architecture 100 includes one or more computers102, 106 interconnected by a network 104. The network 104 may include,for example, a local-area-network (LAN), a wide-area-network (WAN), theInternet, an intranet, or the like. In certain embodiments, thecomputers 102, 106 may include both client computers 102 and servercomputers 106 (also referred to herein as “host systems” 106 oralternatively as “host devices”). In general, client computers 102 mayinitiate communication sessions, whereas server computers 106 may waitfor requests from the client computers 102. In certain embodiments, thecomputers 102 and/or servers 106 may connect to one or more internal orexternal direct-attached storage systems 112 (e.g., arrays of hard-diskdrives, solid-state drives, tape drives, etc.). These computers 102, 106and direct-attached storage systems 112 may communicate using protocolssuch as ATA, SATA, SCSI, SAS, Fibre Channel, or the like. One or more ofthe storage systems 112 may contain storage pools that may benefit fromtechniques of the disclosure.

The network architecture 100 may, in certain embodiments, include astorage network 108 behind the servers 106, such as astorage-area-network (SAN) or a LAN (e.g., when using network-attachedstorage). This network 108 may connect the servers 106 to one or morestorage systems 110 (alternatively, remote systems or remote devices),such as arrays 110 a of hard-disk drives or solid-state drives, tapelibraries 110 b, individual hard-disk drives 110 c or solid-state drives110 c, tape drives 110 d, CD-ROM libraries, or the like. To access astorage system 110, a host system 106 may communicate over physicalconnections from one or more ports on the host 106 to one or more portson the storage system 110. A connection may be through a switch, fabric,direct connection, or the like. In certain embodiments, the servers 106and storage systems 110 may communicate using a networking standard suchas Fibre Channel (FC). One or more of the storage systems 110 maycontain storage pools that may benefit from techniques according to thedisclosure.

In embodiments, techniques of the disclosure may permit data in thestorage pools of storage systems 110, 112 to be sorted or merged withoutunnecessarily sorting a portion that has already been sorted. Moreover,aspects of the disclosure can sort or merge data in response to atriggering event. Therefore, the methodology may provide benefitsassociated with increased efficiency in relation to the example networkarchitecture 100 illustrated by FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example storage system 110 a containing an arrayof storage devices 204 (e.g., hard-disk drives and/or solid-statedrives) according to embodiments. The internal components of the storagesystem 110 a are shown in accordance with the disclosure and may be usedto manage such a storage system 110 a. Nevertheless, techniquesaccording to the disclosure may also be implemented within other storagesystems 110, 112. As shown, the storage system 110 a includes a storagecontroller 200, one or more switches 202, and one or more storagedevices 204, such as hard-disk drives or solid-state drives (e.g.,flash-memory-based drives). The storage controller 200 may enable one ormore hosts 106 (e.g., open system and/or mainframe servers 106) toaccess data stored in the one or more storage devices 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage controller 200 includes one or moreservers 206. The storage controller 200 may also include host adapters208 and device adapters 210 to connect the storage controller 200 tohost devices 106 and storage devices 204, respectively. Multiple servers206 a, 206 b may provide redundancy to ensure that data is alwaysavailable to connected hosts 106. Thus, when one server 206 a fails, theother server 206 b may remain functional to ensure that I/O is able tocontinue between the hosts 106 and the storage devices 204. This processmay be referred to as a “failover.”

Particular enterprise storage systems may have a storage system 110 ahaving an architecture similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2. Particularenterprise storage systems may include a high-performance, high-capacitystorage controller providing disk storage that is designed to supportcontinuous operations. Particular enterprise storage systems may useservers 206 a, 206 b, which may be integrated with a virtualizationengine technology. Nevertheless, techniques according to the disclosureare not limited to any specific enterprise storage system 110 a, but maybe implemented in any comparable or analogous storage system 110regardless of the manufacturer, product name, or components or componentnames associated with the storage system 110. Any storage system 110that could benefit from techniques according to the disclosure is deemedto fall within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the enterprise storagesystem shown is presented only by way of example and is not intended tobe limiting.

In selected embodiments, each server 206 includes one or more processors212 (e.g., n-way symmetric multiprocessors) and memory 214. The memory214 may include volatile memory (e.g., RAM) as well as non-volatilememory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disks, flash memory, etc.). Thevolatile memory and non-volatile memory may store software modules thatrun on the processor(s) 212 and are used to access data in the storagedevices 204. The servers 206 may host at least one instance of thesesoftware modules. These software modules may manage all read and writerequests to logical volumes in the storage devices 204.

In embodiments, techniques of the disclosure may permit data in thestorage devices 204 to be sorted or merged without unnecessarily sortinga portion that has already been sorted. Moreover, aspects of thedisclosure can sort or merge data in response to a triggering event.Therefore, the methodology may provide benefits associated withincreased efficiency in relation to the example storage system 110 acontaining an array of storage devices 204 illustrated by FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for managing a data setof a storage system according to embodiments. Method 300 may work on anumber of operating systems. Method 300 begins at block 301. The dataset can be a sequential-access data set (e.g., records are retrieved insequence). In sequential-access, a series of records is retrieved insequence. For example, a record may be retrieved by its entry sequence,key sequence, or relative-record sequence. In each example, a record islocated by its position relative to the last record (e.g., the mostrecent record listed or accessed). Types of sequential-access data setsinclude Basic Sequential Access Method (BSAM), Queued Sequential AccessMethod (QSAM), and Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM). At block 310,the sequential-access data set may be structured to have a firstgroup-of-records configured for adding a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set.

A second group-of-records is added to the sequential-access data set atblock 320. The second group-of-records can be separate from the firstgroup-of-records. In such case, the added second group-of-records may benon-interdigitated with, but may be adjacent to, the preexisting firstgroup-of-records. In embodiments, the second group-of-records may bedesignated as unsorted. The designation as unsorted can occur inresponse to adding the second group-of-records to the sequential-accessdata set. The designation serves the purpose of identifying each of thetwo separate groups-of-records (sorted and unsorted).

In response to a triggering event, the second group-of-records is sortedor merged with the first group-of-records at block 330. The triggeringevent may be, as examples, a threshold value or an operation related tothe sequential-access data set. In embodiments, the triggering eventoccurs in response to the second group-of-records reaching the thresholdvalue. The threshold value may include an association with aquantity-of-changes to the sequential-access data set since a previoussort. The threshold value can be a user-defined value (e.g., time sincethe last sort, time since the last sort as a function of the number ofadded records) or a predetermined value. For example, the secondgroup-of-records may be merged with the first group-of-records inresponse to five changes to the sequential-access data set since aprevious sort. The quantity-of-changes may be determined as a functionof the totality of the data set. For instance, the quantity-of-changesmay be determined as a percentage of the total size of the data set; ifthe data set contains one-thousand records and one-percent of the dataset is a trigger, the quantity-of-changes is ten because ten changeswill set off the triggering event. In specific instances,quantity-of-changes may be quantity-of-additions or similar concepts.

In embodiments, the triggering event occurs in response to an operationassociated with the sequential-access data set happening; for instance,an operation configured to close the sequential-access data set beingrequested or such close actual occurring. Sorting or merging in responseto a close operation can improve efficiency because, when thesequential-access data set is opened, it will be ordered (e.g., sortedor merged). In addition, resources are sometimes at a premium whenopening data sets, but perhaps less-so when closing data sets. Forinstance, hundreds or thousands of data sets may be opened at onceduring a start-up task but only a few may be closed at once duringregular tasks or in a shut-down task. Other operations, such as an openoperation, are contemplated (e.g., sorting or merging on open becausethat would place the data sets in order for subsequent use and mayenhance efficiency in certain cases as regular task may require moreresources than the resources needed for opening).

In embodiments, merging includes sorting. In particular, merging mayinclude sorting in an order based on record-values of at least onerecord-field in a manner configured to arrange records in a particularsequence. For example, arrangement by entry sequence, key sequence, orrelative-record sequence. With each, a common aspect is arrangement byposition relative to the last record (e.g., the most recent recordlisted or accessed). In embodiments, merging includes combining thefirst and second groups-of-records in a manner configured to produce onegroup-of-records in a particular sequence. In such way, cursoryobservation of the one group-of-records would not reveal separate firstand second groups-of-records related to ordering (other aspects, such astimestamps or relative-record number, may reveal distinct groupings).

In response to merging the second group-of-records with the firstgroup-of-records, a marker is established at block 340. The marker mayindicate the first and second group-of-records, as merged, is sorted.Put differently, the marker may identify a sorted group-of-records ofthe sequential-access data set by marking an end of thesequential-access data set (e.g., last record). From anotherperspective, establishing the marker indicates an existinggroup-of-records of the sequential-access data set is sorted in responseto the sorting of the existing group-of-records. Creating the marker mayserve to distinguish sorted and unsorted groups-of-records. Inembodiments, the marker may include the position of the last record(e.g., entry, key, relative-record number). Other possibilities for themarker are contemplated, such as associating the marker with particularvalues of the sequential-access data set or hardware assets (e.g., aparticular storage volume includes the marker).

Method 300 may conclude at block 399. Aspects of method 300 may providebenefits associated with increased efficiency when sorting or mergingrecords of data sets in a storage system. Altogether, a storage systemmay be managed more efficiently.

Consider the example that follows. According to embodiments, aprogrammer for a new application may or may not hard code or explicitlycall a sort program. The programmer can invoke BSAM, QSAM, or VSAMsequential-access methods to add, delete, or update a record whenopening a data set for output processing. When opening the data set forinput processing, the programmer will be able to read all records, somerecords, or a single record. BSAM, QSAM, and VSAM sequential-accessmethods may need to be updated to recognize a new keyword (e.g., SMSDS)provided by the programmer. This keyword will indicate to the accessmethods that the request is by System Managed Storage (SMS) for DataSorted and will access the data according to a sorting algorithm of SMS.

The SMS Management Class is structured to allow the customer to allow ordisallow (e.g., Y/N) SMS Data Sort. If a data set is not assigned to anSMS Management Class with SMS Data Sort (SMSDS) allowed by the customerand a SMSDS access methods request occurs, then the data set may or maynot be sorted by SMS and all records can be read sequentially. Toimprove performance, the SMS Management Class may need to include a uservalue (e.g., DSCOUNT) to indicate when to implement the sort algorithm.

Changes to a catalog entry of a data set may occur. Fields may be addedrelated to the total number of updates completed while the data set wasopened for output (e.g., DSOUTPUT) and the record position of the lastsorted record (e.g., DSLAST). Another identifier for the SMS Data Sortoption in the Management Class that was implemented may also be inserted(e.g., DSMCSO). With such changes in place, a particular case candescribe the invention's processing when the customer allows the SMSData Sort option. The particular case that follows is illustrative.

First, for a data set opened for any output activity, an application canuse an access method to add, delete, or update a record with keywordSMSDS. For this case, assume there are no records initially and thefollowing unsorted data records are added: {BBB, CCC, AAA}.

When a record is created during close processing, the total number ofrecords updated at that time will be added to the data set catalogDSOUTPUT field. For this case, DSOUTPUT will be set to 3. SMS servicesis then invoked to check this field to see if it has reached the DSCOUNTfield in the Management Class of the data set. For this case, DSCOUNT isset to 5 by the user. Since DSOUTPUT has not reached DSCOUNT, SMS willnot sort the data for this iteration and the catalog of the data setDSLAST field will remain to the initialized value of 0 to indicate thatall data is unsorted: {[DSLAST Position is 0] BBB, CCC, AAA}[DSOUTPUT=3] [DSCOUNT=5].

Second, if the previous action is repeated adding another 3 uniquerecords, then DSOUTPUT will be set to 6 which is greater then theDSCOUNT of 5. SMS will then sort the data since the Management Class SMSData Sort option for the data set enabled (i.e., Y). For this case,assume the data is sorted alphabetically and merged sequentially. Thecatalog DSMCSO field of the data set will be set to Y to indicate whatis specified in the Management Class of the data set initially. DSLASTis set to 6 to indicate the position of the last sorted record. DSOUTPUTis reset to 0 to indicate that all the data has been sorted. BEFORESORT: {[DSLAST Position is 0] BBB, CCC, AAA, FFF, DDD, EEE} [DSOUTPUT=6][DSCOUNT=5]; AFTER SORT: {AAA, BBB, CCC, DDD, EEE, FFF [DSLAST Positionis 6]} [DSOUTPUT=0] [DSCOUNT=5].

Third, in this case, after open and close output activity, record BBB isdeleted and 3 more unique records are added. DSOUTPUT will be set to 4so SMS services will not be invoked to sort all the data (alternatively,DSOUTPUT could be set to 3 in an embodiment counting added records butnot accounting for changes such as deletions). Because a record wasdeleted, DSLAST is updated since deleted records are not read in laterby access methods. The data at this point is both sorted and unsorted:{AAA, [deleted record] CCC, DDD, EEE, FFF [DSLAST Position is 5], DDZ,ZZZ, ABB} [DSOUTPUT=4] [DSCOUNT=5].

Fourth, if the data set is opened for input processing with keywordSMSDS then an application reading a single record will, by default,cause access methods to first read sequentially through the sorted dataarea. If the record is not found or a higher record value is returned,then access methods will read sequentially through the unsorted records.The default can be changed by access methods to search the unsortedrecords first, followed by the sorted records if access methods decidesthe results are more optimal. SEARCHED FIRST (sorted records): {AAA,CCC, DDD, EEE, FFF [DSLAST Position is 5]}; SEARCHED SECOND (unsortedrecords): {DDZ, ZZZ, ABB}.

Fifth, if the data set is opened for input processing with keyword SMSDSand the application is reading all or some records (greater then DSLAST)then access methods will invoke SMS services to perform the sameactivity described in above to sort the data. Additionally it will mergeall the unsorted data with the previously sorted data. The accessmethods will then return all the requested data. BEFORE SORT AND MERGE:{AAA, CCC, DDD, EEE, FFF [DSLAST Position is 5], DDZ, ZZZ, ABB}[DSOUTPUT=4] [DSCOUNT=5]; AFTER SORT, BEFORE MERGE: {AAA, CCC, DDD, EEE,FFF [DSLAST Position is 5], ABB, DDZ, ZZZ} [DSOUTPUT=4] [DSCOUNT=5];AFTER SORT AND MERGE: {AAA, ABB, CCC, DDD, DDZ, EEE, FFF, ZZZ [DSLASTPosition is 8]} [DSOUTPUT=0] [DSCOUNT=5].

The Management Class of the data set can be altered during aconfiguration change so that it is using a different SMS Data Sortoption. As a result, SMS may check the DSMCSO catalog field to ensure itmatches what is physically set in the Management Class. If the fieldsare not the same when implementing the sort methodology, then SMS willneed to either stop sorting or re-sort all the of data according to thenew Management Class SMS Data Sort option prior to honoring the write orread request. If SMS needs to re-sort all the data, then an SMS messagecan be issued to indicate that this sort request will take longer thennormal due to an SMS configuration change. The previous example ispresented for illustrative purposes; other embodiments in accordancewith the disclosure are considered.

FIG. 4 shows modules of a system for sorting or merging data in storageaccording to embodiments. In embodiments, method 300 may be implementedusing one or more modules of FIG. 4. These modules may be implemented inhardware, software or firmware executable on hardware, or a combinationthereof. For example, module functionality that may occur in a hostdevice 496 may actually be implemented in a remote device 490 and viceversa. Other functionality may be distributed across the host device 496and the remote device 490.

The host device 496 may include a managing module 400. The managingmodule 400 may be configured and arranged to manage a storage facility.The managing module 400 may include a structuring module 410, an addingmodule 420, a merging module 430, and a marking module 440. The mergingmodule 430 may include a sorting module 431 and a triggering module 432,the triggering module 432 having a threshold value module 438 and anoperation module 439. The remote device 490 may have a data set 460comprising storage volumes 461 having address spaces 462.

The structuring module 410 may structure a data set to have a firstgroup-of-records configured for adding a second group-of-records to thedata set. The data set can be a sequential-access data set (e.g.,records are retrieved in sequence). For example, a record may beretrieved by its entry sequence, key sequence, or relative-recordsequence. Types of sequential-access data sets include Basic SequentialAccess Method (BSAM), Queued Sequential Access Method (QSAM), andVirtual Storage Access Method (VSAM).

The adding module 420 adds a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set. The second group-of-records can be separatefrom the first group-of-records. In embodiments, the secondgroup-of-records may be designated as unsorted. The designation asunsorted can occur in response to adding the second group-of-records tothe sequential-access data set. The designation serves the purpose ofidentifying each of the two separate groups-of-records (sorted andunsorted).

The merging module 430 sorts or merges the second group-of-records withthe first group-of-records in response to a triggering event of thetriggering module 432. In embodiments, merging includes sorting relatedto the sorting module 431. In particular, merging may include sorting inan order based on record-values of at least one record-field in a mannerconfigured to arrange records in a particular sequence. In embodiments,merging includes combining the first and second groups-of-records in amanner configured to produce one group-of-records in a particularsequence.

The triggering module 432 can include, as examples, a threshold valuemodule 438 or an operation module 439 related to the sequential-accessdata set. In embodiments, the triggering event occurs in response to thesecond group-of-records reaching a threshold value of the thresholdvalue module 438. The threshold value module 438 may include anassociation with a quantity-of-changes to the sequential-access data setsince a previous sort. The threshold value can be a user-defined valueor a predetermined value.

In embodiments, the triggering event occurs in response to an operationof the operation module 439 associated with the sequential-access dataset happening; for instance, an operation configured to close thesequential-access data set being requested or such close actualoccurring. Sorting or merging in response to a close operation canimprove efficiency because, when the sequential-access data set isopened, it will be ordered (e.g., sorted or merged). In addition,resources are sometimes at a premium when opening data sets, but perhapsless-so when closing data sets.

The marking module 440 establishes a marker to indicate the first andsecond group-of-records, as merged, is sorted. The marker is establishedin response to merging the second group-of-records with the firstgroup-of-records. Put differently, the marker may identify a sortedgroup-of-records of the sequential-access data set by marking an end ofthe sequential-access data set (e.g., last record). From anotherperspective, establishing the marker indicates an existinggroup-of-records of the sequential-access data set is sorted in responseto the sorting of the existing group-of-records. Creating the marker mayserve to distinguish sorted and unsorted groups-of-records.

Aspects of managing module 400 may provide benefits associated withincreased efficiency when sorting or merging records of data sets in astorage system. Altogether, a storage system may be managed moreefficiently.

In addition to embodiments described above, other embodiments havingfewer operational steps, more operational steps, or differentoperational steps are contemplated. Also, some embodiments may performsome or all of the above operational steps in a different order. Themodules are listed illustratively according to an embodiment and are notmeant to indicate necessity of a particular module or exclusivity ofother potential modules.

In the foregoing, reference is made to various embodiments. It should beunderstood, however, that this disclosure is not limited to thespecifically described embodiments. Instead, any combination of thedescribed features and elements, whether related to differentembodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice thisdisclosure. Many modifications and variations may be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the described embodiments. Furthermore, although embodiments of thisdisclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or overthe prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by agiven embodiment is not limiting of this disclosure. Thus, the describedaspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are merely illustrativeand are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claimsexcept where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be embodied as a system, method, or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination thereof. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In the context ofthis disclosure, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangiblemedium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connectionwith an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wire line, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combinationthereof.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent disclosure may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including: an object oriented programminglanguage such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like; and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languageor similar programming languages. The program code may execute asspecifically described herein. In addition, the program code may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with reference toflowchart illustrations, block diagrams, or both, of methods,apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according toembodiments of this disclosure. It will be understood that each block ofthe flowchart illustrations or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functionsor acts specified in the flowchart or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function or act specified in the flowchart or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions or acts specified in the flowchart or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Embodiments according to this disclosure may be provided to end-usersthrough a cloud-computing infrastructure. Cloud computing generallyrefers to the provision of scalable computing resources as a serviceover a network. More formally, cloud computing may be defined as acomputing capability that provides an abstraction between the computingresource and its underlying technical architecture (e.g., servers,storage, networks), enabling convenient, on-demand network access to ashared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidlyprovisioned and released with minimal management effort or serviceprovider interaction. Thus, cloud computing allows a user to accessvirtual computing resources (e.g., storage, data, applications, and evencomplete virtualized computing systems) in “the cloud,” without regardfor the underlying physical systems (or locations of those systems) usedto provide the computing resources.

Typically, cloud-computing resources are provided to a user on apay-per-use basis, where users are charged only for the computingresources actually used (e.g., an amount of storage space used by a useror a number of virtualized systems instantiated by the user). A user canaccess any of the resources that reside in the cloud at any time, andfrom anywhere across the Internet. In context of the present disclosure,a user may access applications or related data available in the cloud.For example, the nodes used to create a stream computing application maybe virtual machines hosted by a cloud service provider. Doing so allowsa user to access this information from any computing system attached toa network connected to the cloud (e.g., the Internet).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams or flowchart illustration,can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems thatperform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of specialpurpose hardware and computer instructions.

While the foregoing is directed to exemplary embodiments, other andfurther embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departingfrom the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for managingrecords of a sequential-access data set of a storage system, the methodcomprising: structuring the sequential-access data set to have a firstgroup-of-records configured for adding a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set; adding a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set; merging the second group-of-records with thefirst group-of-records in response to a triggering event; andestablishing, in response to merging the second group-of-records withthe first group-of-records, a marker configured to indicate the firstand second group-of-records, as merged, is sorted.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the marker identifies a sorted group-of-records of thesequential-access data set by marking an end of the sequential-accessdata set.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising designating thesecond group-of-records is unsorted in response to adding the secondgroup-of-records to the sequential-access data set.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein merging includes sorting in an order based onrecord-values of at least one record-field in a manner configured toarrange records in a particular sequence.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein merging includes combining the first and second group-of-recordsin a manner configured to produce one group-of-records in a particularsequence.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering eventincludes an event selected from a group consisting of: the secondgroup-of-records reaching a threshold value; and an operation associatedwith the sequential-access data set.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe threshold value includes an association with a quantity-of-changesto the sequential-access data set since a previous sort.
 8. The methodof claim 6, wherein the threshold value is one type of value selectedfrom a group consisting of a user-defined value and a predeterminedvalue.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the operation associated withthe sequential-access data set includes an operation selected from agroup consisting of a close operation and an open operation.
 10. Acomputer-implemented method for managing records of a sequential-accessdata set of a storage system, the method comprising: establishing, inresponse to sorting a first group-of-records of the sequential-accessdata set, a marker configured to indicate the first group-of-records issorted; adding to the sequential-access data set a secondgroup-of-records separate from the first group-of-records; sorting thesecond group-of-records in response to a triggering event; merging thesecond group-of-records with the first group-of-records; andestablishing, in response to merging the second group-of-records withthe first group-of-records, the marker to indicate the first and secondgroup-of-records, as merged, is sorted.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the triggering event includes an event selected from a groupconsisting of: the second group-of-records reaching a threshold valuewhich is an association with a quantity-of-changes to thesequential-access data set since a previous sort; and an operationconfigured to close the sequential-access data set.
 12. A system formanaging records of a sequential-access data set of a storage facility,comprising: a remote device; and a host device, at least one device ofthe remote device and the host device including a managing module, themanaging module comprising: a structuring module to structure thesequential-access data set to have a first group-of-records configuredfor adding a second group-of-records to the sequential-access data set;an adding module to add a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set; a merging module to merge the secondgroup-of-records with the first group-of-records in response to atriggering event; and an establishing module to establish, in responseto merging the second group-of-records with the first group-of-records,a marker configured to indicate the first and second group-of-records,as merged, is sorted.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the markeridentifies a sorted group-of-records of the sequential-access data setby marking an end of the sequential-access data set.
 14. The system ofclaim 12, further comprising designating the second group-of-records isunsorted in response to adding a second group-of-records to thesequential-access data set.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein mergingincludes sorting in an order based on record-values of at least onerecord-field in a manner configured to arrange records in a particularsequence.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein merging includes combiningthe first and second group-of-records in a manner configured to produceone group-of-records in a particular sequence.
 17. The system of claim12, wherein the triggering event includes an event selected from a groupconsisting of: the second group-of-records reaching a threshold value;and an operation associated with the sequential-access data set.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the threshold value includes an associationwith a quantity-of-changes to the sequential-access data set since aprevious sort.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the threshold valueis one type of value selected from a group consisting of: a user-definedvalue and a predetermined value.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein theoperation associated with the sequential-access data set includes anoperation selected from a group consisting of a close operation and anopen operation.